FEATURE
7 QUESTIONS WITH PAMELA GIDI MASÍAS:
Talking Industry Trends with Chile’s Vice-Minister of Telecommunications
1.
WHAT IS SUBTEL’S MISSION AND VISION?
The Vice-Ministry of Telecommunications from Chile (SUBTEL) works towards promoting and developing telecommunications as an engine for economic and social development. Over the years, since market liberalization, SUBTEL has set a very dynamic step for the telecommunications market. The early adoption of different technologies has been key to this. And, more importantly, this paradigm has been very stable across governments and has led to a market of nearly 85 internet users per 100 inhabitants and a service coverage close to 99 percent of the inhabited territory. As part of the institutional mission, SUBTEL’s role is twofold. First, it is in charge of proposing national policies on telecommunications, following government guidelines and overseeing the implementation of these policies. Also, SUBTEL is responsible for the compliance and enforcement of Telecoms Law, regulations, and standards. Equalize access to connectivity is also part of SUBTEL’s mission. There are mechanisms in place to promote access
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of telecoms into disadvantaged areas of the country and to improve competition among market players, which translates into the provision of higher quality services. As for SUBTEL’s vision, by 2022, Chile must successfully face the challenges posed by the digital revolution, with more and better-connected citizens. The deployment of fiber optics in regional capitals through the Austral Fiber Optic project (FOA) and the deployment of 5G mobile networks will be the key to achieve this objective. In the region, the country aims to become a digital hub, through the Asia - South America Digital Gateway project, which Chile as the regional landing point. We will increase competition, laying the foundations for an attractive market for companies, and thus promoting ICT investment. We will defend the rights of users and minimize the existing Digital Divide.
2.
WHAT PROJECTS ARE BEING IMPLEMENTED IN SUBTEL TO TURN CHILE INTO A DIGITAL HUB?
An extensive telecommunications infrastructure is a fundamental requirement to achieve the develop-